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home / 世界杯决赛2022

where to get n95 masks today in ottawa: finding quality masks proves difficult

quality masks are flying off shelves in ottawa as the city suffers under smoke and smog

by peter hum
published jun 07, 2023
read time 2 minute read
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read time 2 minute read
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a cyclist wears a mask due to poor air quality conditions as smoke from wildfires in ontario and quebec hangs over ottawa on tuesday, june 6, 2023. sean kilpatrick the canadian p / the canadian press
with ottawa once again blanketed in visibly polluted air reeking of smoke due to forest fires, n95 masks were in short supply at some stores on wednesday morning. at morris home hardware on wellington street west, boxes of n95 masks sold out wednesday morning. “especially this morning it was a hot-ticket item,” said cashier liz marion.
the store still had about 100 single n95 masks for sale at $1.99 each, she said.
manager marlene callahan said the store would order extra boxes that would arrive next tuesday. even after the air quality improves, the store will be able to sell the masks because people remain wary about covid-19, she said.
callahan added that the store’s small number of air purifiers sold out yesterday, and there has been greater demand for furnace filters.
at seoul mart on pretoria avenue, an employee who answered the phone said the store had sold out of its high-quality korean masks and he did not know when they would be restocked.
this week, health officials advised people in ottawa and beyond to wear n95 masks when outside, to limit their times outdoors and to keep their windows closed and air conditioning on.
“if you must spend time outdoors, a well-fitted n95 mask can help reduce your exposure,” said monica vaswani, a warning preparedness meteorologist with environment and climate change canada. “a mask would be your best defence if you do have to be outdoors.”
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a check of the websites for staples and lowes showed that n95 masks were only available as online purchases.
as of noon wednesday, an online check of ottawa’s home depot stores showed various n95 masks in stock.
n95 masks available in ottawa:
where: elmvale acres home hardware, 1910 st. laurent blvd.
what kind of masks: 3m n95s
cost: $29.99 for a pack of 20
available as of noon wednesday: 46
where: elmvale acres home hardware, 1910 st. laurent blvd.
what kind of masks: 3m n95s, cool flow valve respirator
cost: $20.99 for a pack of five
available as of noon wednesday: 3
where: home depot in south keys, 2056 bank st.
what kind of masks: 3m n95s
cost: $28.93 for a pack of 10
available as of noon wednesday: 21
where: home depot in nepean, 1900 baseline rd.
what kind of masks: 3m n95s
cost: $28.93 for a pack of 10
available as of noon wednesday: 8
where: home depot in barrhaven, 3779 strandherd rd.
what kind of masks: 3m n95s
cost: $28.93 for a pack of 10
available as of noon wednesday: 40
where: lee valley tools, 900 morrison dr.
what kind of masks: airwave disposable n95 dust masks
cost: $34.95 for 10
where: lee valley tools, 900 morrison dr.
what kind of masks: anti-fog n95 dust masks
cost: $36.50 for 5
where: princess auto, 1111 ages dr.
what kind of masks: mccordick n95 disposable mask with valve
cost: $4.99 for one, $9.99 for three
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where: canadian tire, 2165 carling ave.
what kind of masks: 3m n95 cool flow masks
cost: $19.98 for five
available as of 2:45 p.m. wednesday: 148
if you find locations where n95s are available, please share in the comment section below. this post will be updated.
peter hum
peter hum

ottawa native peter hum is the ottawa citizen's restaurant critic, a role he has been digging into since 2012. he has been a journalist and editor at the ottawa citizen/sun since 1990.

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